Week of October 19, 2009 (A short week!)

As promised, last week was quite full in the Upper School. The Meeting Hall went from a theatre space to Yoga to PSAT's for 80 students to staff development to Junior Night in the course of 24 hours. Below, you can see a relaxed moment during lunch on the steps. Can you spot our visiting Board member? She spent the morning and lunch with one of our students as a part of Take a Board Member to Lunch. We welcomed three Board members to the Upper School as a part of that activity.
Elise is addressing the juniors and their parents at our annual Junior Night. We were happy to welcome admission directors, Steve Farmer from UNC-Chapel Hill and Randy Doss from Guilford College, who shared their expertise with our families. Parents and students found this evening to be quite informative and helpful. Both Randy and Steve emphasized the need for parents to RELAX and enjoy the college discernment and application process.

As you know, last Wednesday afternoon was Staff Development time for our staff members. Our focus for the day was Technology. Here you can see Amelia getting acquainted with her newly donated large color printer. She is looking forward to being able to print students' digital photography.

Dave and Gustavo are working on Geometry Sketchpad. Dave was learning to use it for the first time. Gustavo was preparing worksheets for classes. He will be taking his Geometry classes to the computer lab to work on Sketchpad.

Tim, Frances, and Dylan enjoyed a lesson in Robotics with Sharon, our Director of Technology. They played with Lego robots by programming movements into their computers and seeing what they could get their robots to do. Other staff members created websites and wikis. Some worked on film editing. Our foreign language teachers were able to research intractive websites and textbooks. All in all, this staff development afternoon allowed our staff the time they often don't have to move forward in a variety of areas.

On Tuesday, we honored our four seniors on the soccer team, Shane, Tony, Aydin, and Tyson.

Happy students are Skyping a friend who was at home following his surgery. While waiting for his return to school, teachers were able to use Skype so that our home-bound student could "attend" his classes. Very cool!

PATRICK COOK DEEGAN

On Tuesday, Patrick Cook Deegan will address our community. In 2006, Patrick cycled 2,800 miles across Laos, Cambodia, and Burma to raise $22,500 to build a school in Laos with scholarships for girls. Patrick is an engaging young man who travels to schools in the US to share his story. We look forward to his return to CFS. For more information about Patrick, please go to his website at www.cycleforschools.com.

SENIOR PARENT POTLUCK

Just a reminder to senior parents about our potluck on Monday, from 6-8pm, in the Meeting Hall. Elise and Carrie will join you for conversation. Bring any questions/concerns that relate to being a parent of a senior.

PARENT CONFERENCES

In preparation for parent conferences, on Wednesday (staff workday) staff members will participate in a Round Robin when they will each meet with every other staff member to share news about students with their advisors. Conferences will be held on Thursday and Friday. Upper School staff members are looking forward to meeting with the parents of their advisees. Parents are encouraged to come to these conferences with any questions or concerns they may have about their children.

Have a great week. The fall colors are beginning to appear in our area. Acorns are falling like rain onto our house from our giant pin oak tree. Enjoy!